Spencer’s Marty Bell Selected As Indiana ‘Mom Of The Year’ Finalist

Local Mother Is One Of Ten Chosen For March Of Dimes State Honor

by Michael Stanley Staff Writer

Marty Bell of rural Spencer was recently chosen as a finalist for the March of Dimes’ “Indiana Mother of the Year” award. Bell spends her days taking care of her two children, 15-month-old Delainey (left) and three-year-old Dillon. (Staff Photo)
Some people are trying to explain to Marty Bell that she’s an outstanding mother, and despite a recent nomination as the March of Dimes’ “Indiana Mother of the Year,” she still sees herself as just taking care of her kids, the way a good mother is supposed to.

“I don’t think I do anything better than anybody else. I was shocked that my mom even did it (nominated her), honestly,” Bell said. “It’s really kind of shocking. All of the other mothers, their stories are just as amazing as mine, if not more.”

Marty and husband, Major Dan Bell of the Indiana National Guard, make their home just off of rural Fish Creek Road with their two children, three-year-old Dillion, and 15-month-old Delainey. However, as the man in charge of the Camp Atterbury firing range, Dan is away for the majority of the week, leaving household duties to Marty.

Bell’s own mother, Becky Bradbury, submitted the nomination back in April, but had given up on the chance of her daughter being selected until a phone call in June.

“We were on our way to Florida for our vacation and my mom called, she was all hysterical,” Bell said. “She called and said, ‘I sent this in May, they just called me, I just assumed you didn’t win anything, because they never called. Now you’re a finalist.’ So that’s how we found out. My husband and everybody in my family knew that she had done it, except for me. I was just shocked, out of hundreds of people, they picked me as one of the top 10 from little Spencer, Indiana.”

Established to recognize the contributions every mother makes each and every day to the health of our community, our families, and of particular importance to the March of Dimes, the health and lives of babies, hundreds of nominations for the award were submitted online by families and friends across Indiana, with a panel of volunteers using three key criteria for selection – perseverance, management and leadership.

The celebration recognizes the contributions of every mom with an awards dinner and dance, scheduled for Saturday, August 21 at the Indianapolis Marriott Downtown hotel, where the 2010 Mom of the Year will be announced.

Bell’s nomination reads: “Marty has overcome numerous obstacles during her few years as a mother. After the birth of her first son, Dillon, Marty’s husband was gone for three months training at Fort Benning, Georgia. While Dan was gone, Marty had a bleeding episode and lay on the bathroom floor with her month-old baby waiting for an ambulance. The paramedics told her to ‘say goodbye’ to her son, because they did not think she would make it, but Marty fought and when she got to the hospital and was stable the first thing she asked for was that her baby be with her.

“Later on Marty had a miscarriage and stayed strong through that for her son and husband and when the doctors said it was safe, Marty got pregnant with Delainey. Everything was going good until her water broke three months early. She was admitted to the hospital to prevent the birth for as long as possible in order to give the baby every fighting chance. After four days little Delainey could not wait any longer, she was born three months early at one pound, 11 ounces. During the three months Delainey was in the hospital there were many trying moments, including a heart surgery. Through this all Marty never gave up! She managed her time between Dillon and Delainey very well.

“When Delainey was finally released from the NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) and got to come home, she was on an apnea machine, oxygen and had eight different diagnosis. Delainey’s doctors told Marty to be prepared for her to have at least one stay in the hospital during the coming winter as her lungs we so undeveloped. Marty was determined that would not happen and took every precaution possible. Delainey did not go out except to doctor visits. Marty did her Christmas shopping online and only left Delainey when necessary and when Dan or a relative could watch her. Because of all of Marty’s precautions, Delainey never had to go to the hospital. The doctors could not believe it and gave all the credit to Marty’s exceptional care. Delainey now has only two diagnoses and is off all of her machines. Her physical therapist and developmental therapist say that Delainey is progressing every month due to the fact that mom works so well with her.

“Marty managed to take care of her daughter and never neglect her son. Both are healthy, happy children. Marty is an inspiration to many because of her faith, patience and determination. Marty Bell will always be mother of the year to me.”